Tag: Scottish Government

Jeane Freeman announces inquiry into hospital sites

A public inquiry will be held to examine issues at the new Royal Hospital for Children and Young People (RHCYP) and the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) sites following recent concerns from affected parents over safety and wellbeing.

The inquiry will determine how vital issues relating to ventilation and other key building systems occurred, and what steps can be taken to prevent this being repeated in future projects.

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: “The safety and well-being of all patients and their families is my top priority and should be the primary consideration in all NHS construction projects.

“I want to make sure this is the case for all future projects, which is why, following calls from affected parents, I am announcing a public inquiry to examine the new Royal Hospital for Children and Young People and the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital sites.

“The recent KPMG and NSS reports into the new Edinburgh Children’s Hospital will provide a significant amount of the underpinning evidence for the inquiry alongside the ongoing independent review into the delivery and maintenance of the QEUH.

“The current situation is not one anyone would choose – but it is one I am determined to resolve.”

 

Credit Unions: increasing access to affordable credit

Creating healthy balance sheets for Credit Unions

More people will have greater access to affordable credit and savings plans through a new £10 million fund.

Announced as part of the Programme for Government, the Credit Union Investment Fund will support credit unions to increase financial inclusion and help them to grow.

Credit unions are member-owned financial co-operatives, meaning they exist only for the benefit of the people who  use their services. They are not-for-profit and, as such, any money they make goes right back into providing competitive rates on savings and loans.

The Fund, which will open next spring, will be supported by a new Credit Union strategy that will improve credit union systems and increase their provision of affordable credit, reducing the cost of borrowing and offering savings opportunities in a responsible way.

Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell said: “Credit Unions are driven by a singular purpose: to serve their members, rather than to make profits for a select few.

“While more than 410,000 people in Scotland are already members of a credit union, we want them to become more mainstream so more people can benefit from their ethical services.

“This is particularly so for people who are unable to access mainstream financial services or have limited choices on where to go to borrow money so can feel forced to turn to high cost lenders who can exploit their vulnerable position.

“Credit unions offer saving plans as well as repayment rates that are affordable and tailored to the borrower’s income.

“By working with the sector to deliver this fund and strategy, we can enable it to develop and flourish.”

Join the Clubs!

Edinburgh businesses urged to help each other improve productivity

The Scottish Government and one of Scotland’s leading independent economic development networks have urged Edinburgh SMEs to register for new resources and events to help them drive innovation, productivity, sustainable development and economic growth. Continue reading Join the Clubs!

New Sick Kids: Health Secretary appoints Senior Programme Director.

A Senior Programme Director, who will report directly to the Scottish Government, has been appointed to work with NHS Lothian on the delivery of the new Royal Hospital for Children and Young People (RHCYP).

Mary Morgan (above), who is currently Director of Strategy, Performance and Service Transformation at NHS National Services Scotland (NSS) will take up post today.

The appointment has been made by Health Secretary Jeane Freeman following the publication of KPMG’s independent review of governance arrangements and NSS’s assessment of compliance of all building systems at the new hospital. Following these reports, NHS Lothian has been escalated to level 4 in the NHS Board Performance Framework for this specific issue.

The new Senior Programme Director will oversee actions to ensure the safe delivery of RHCYP and the Department of Clinical Neurosciences.

Ms Freeman said: “I am pleased to have swiftly appointed Mary Morgan to the role of Senior Programme Director. Mary comes with a wealth of experience within NHS Scotland, leading on major change programmes, and will bring extensive expertise and knowledge to this role.

“Mary will work closely with both the Scottish Government and senior management at NHS Lothian and will oversee the safe delivery of the new Royal Hospital for Children and Young People and Department of Clinical Neurosciences.

“Our overriding priority is that the children and families who depend on these hospital services can receive them in the safest way possible. The current situation is not one anyone would choose – but it is one I am determined to resolve.”

Mary Morgan joined the National Health Service in Scotland in 1982 and subsequently pursued her career in nursing and NHS management. Ms Morgan joined NHS National Services Scotland as the Director of Health Protection Scotland in 2008 and prior to her current role she was the Director for the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS) and led the successful completion of the award winning new SNBTS facility (Jack Copland Centre)..

Ms Morgan said: “I recognise the importance and the challenge of the task ahead, whilst acknowledging the large amount of work that has been already undertaken.

“I am looking forward to working with colleagues in NHS Lothian in order to ensure that the new site for the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People and the Department of Clinical Neurosciences is fully compliant and safe, ensuring the successful completion and move of services to the new premises.”

Sick Kids – KPMG and NSS reports

 

Improving access to healthcare for vulnerable people

People who have experienced difficulty registering with a doctor’s surgery are to be given additional guidance through the launch of new information cards. 

The Access to Healthcare cards are designed to offer support to vulnerable groups including those experiencing homelessness, people seeking asylum, refugees and the Gypsy/Traveller community.

The information, which highlights an individual’s right to register, is written in a way that is clear, simple and easy to access.

The cards will also assist reception staff in identifying a patient’s need for an interpreter or assistance in filling out forms.

Public Health Minister Joe FitzPatrick said: “I am proud to be launching the Access to Healthcare information card which will ensure some of the most vulnerable groups in society can access the support and treatment they need.

“They will be distributed via the groups who work with Gypsy/Travellers, people seeking asylum, refugees and those people experiencing homelessness.

“The information provided on these cards will ensure good communication between patients and reception staff from the outset, leading to a more positive experience for everyone involved.”

Equalities Minister Christina McKelvie said: “I welcome the introduction of these information cards.

“By removing barriers to access we are demonstrating a practical approach to tackling discrimination and delivering equality. These cards represent a significant step towards improving access to public services for people.”

Katie Hawkins, a GP who works with homeless people at Edinburgh’s Access Practice, said: “I believe the cards are an extremely useful way of informing patients and front line staff of the right everyone has to primary care.

“As a GP working with those experiencing homelessness I see the direct consequences of a lack of access to primary care.

“I hope the cards will help more of the most marginalised in society to address their basic health needs.”

card one

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Community Renewal praises Scottish Government’s measures to tackle funeral poverty

From tomorrow, the new Funeral Expense Assistance payment will become available to people who claim certain benefits in Scotland. It is a move by the Scottish Government towards eradicating funeral poverty which has pushed 1 in 7 families into debts of up to £1990.  Continue reading Community Renewal praises Scottish Government’s measures to tackle funeral poverty

Cats Protection welcomes Mairi Gougeon

The Scottish Government Minister responsible for animal welfare has paid a visit to Cats Protection’s Glasgow Adoption Centre to see first-hand how the charity helps cats in Scotland.

Mairi Gougeon, Minister for Rural Affairs and Natural Environment, met staff and volunteers at the centre in Auchinlech on Thursday. Continue reading Cats Protection welcomes Mairi Gougeon

New housing phase completed at Western Harbour

Housing Minister Kevin Stewart met new residents during a visit to Western Gateway  last week. The Minister’s visit marked the completion of the first phase of mid-rent housing delivery at Western Harbour. Continue reading New housing phase completed at Western Harbour

Eight million free period products delivered

More than eight million free sanitary products were provided to school, college and university students across Scotland in the first six months of a world-leading new scheme.

The Scottish Government was the first government in the world to provide free access to sanitary products in schools colleges and universities.

Continue reading Eight million free period products delivered

Impact of UK welfare cuts revealed

Thousands of families are being pushed into poverty – with UK Government welfare changes set to reduce spending on social security in Scotland by £500 million a year, Social Security Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said.

The 2019 Annual Report on Welfare Reform shows the largest welfare cuts since 2015 are as a result of the benefit freeze, two-child cap, and changes to the work allowance. Continue reading Impact of UK welfare cuts revealed